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Yanks Abroad: Bradley ‘Liberates’ Roma

A.S. RomaMidfielder Michael Bradley, 24, has played professionally in Europe since 2006.

Michael Bradley, the young man dubbed Il Generale in reference to the United States World War II general Omar Bradley is back at work … with A.S. Roma.

Bradley’s move from Chievo to Roma of Italy’s Serie A became official Sunday with the club’s announcement as Bradley reported to preseason training camp at Riscone di Brunico after checking in at the Hotel Royal Hinterhuber in Val Pusteria, a northern resort region on the border with Austria.

According to the Roma statement, Bradley went right to work under the direction of the team’s new coach, Zdenek Zeman, along with his new teammates, including Gabriel Heinze, David Pizarro, Aleandro Rosi and Francesco Totti. Bradley is being penciled in as a midfield replacement for Fernando Gago, an on-loan player who has been returned to Real Madrid.

Bradley, then 16, was drafted by the MetroStars in 2004, when the club was coached by his father, Bob. When Bob found himself out of a job, Michael was soon headed to Europe. Since then, he has played for Heerenveen (the Netherlands), Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany), Aston Villa (England) and Chievo.

According to a published report, Roma paid a $4 million transfer fee to Chievo, plus half-ownership in the Romanian midfielder Adrian Stoian.

It will not be long until Bradley, who is a mainstay in the midfield of the United States national team, returns home. Roma is scheduled to play three matches in the United States: Zaglebie Lubin of Poland in Chicago on Sunday, Liverpool in Boston three days later and El Salvador at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., on July 27.

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Goal, The New York Times soccer blog, will report on news and features from the world of soccer and around the Web. Times editors and reporters will follow international tournaments and provide analysis of games. There will be interviews with players, coaches and notable soccer fans, as well as a weekly blog column by Red Bulls forward Jozy Altidore. Readers can discuss Major League Soccer, foreign leagues and other issues with fellow soccer fans.